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'He Died In The Line Of Duty': Security Guard Slain In Alleged Face Mask Dispute Remembered As 'Brave' Family Man
Calvin Munerlyn, 43, was gunned down following a confrontation with a family over their use of face masks, authorities said. Six people face charges.
A "brave" and "courageous" Michigan security guard, who was gunned down outside a dollar store earlier this month, died trying to save people's lives, his family said.
Calvin "Duper" Munerlyn, 43, a father to eight children, was "always there" for his kids, his life partner told Oxygen.com.
"There was nothing he wouldn't do for myself or our children," Latryna Sims, 41, said on Monday. "He was an outstanding father."
Sims called Munerlyn's shooting "irrational" and "heartless."
"No one should ever have to lose their life because they are simply trying to save lives," Sims said. "In the end, many lives are ruined when they didn't have to be."
Munerlyn was shot "point blank" at a Family Dollar, where he worked, on May 1, after attempting to enforce the state's executive order involving face masks in public spaces, according to investigators. The alleged gunman was a relative of a disgruntled customer, who previously engaged in a "verbal altercation" with Munerlyn, authorities said.
"He was my world," Sims. "No matter where he went, he made the room light up. He always knew how to put a smile on people's face. He was one of the funniest men I have ever met in my life. I love [and] miss him so much."
On Friday, two men were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting, after roughly a week on the run.
Ramonyea Bishop, 23, the suspected triggerman, was apprehended by authorities in Bay City, Michigan on May 8, authorities said. His stepfather, 44-year-old Larry Teague Jr., was arrested in a Houston, Texas motel room by U.S. Marshals a day earlier. Both are charged with Munerlyn's murder.
“These arrests cannot replace the loss, however, hopefully this will give the family some sense of closure knowing those responsible will be held accountable,” Michigan State Police Lt. David Kaiser told Oxygen.com.
A number of the former fugitives' family members and others are also implicated in connection to the case, according to a series of criminal complaints obtained by Oxygen.com.
In total, six people have been charged in the investigation.
“It’s turned into quite a cluster of defendants,” Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Potbury told Oxygen.com. “One horrible rash decision in an instant has affected so many lives forever.”
Sharmel Teague, 45 is charged with Munerlyn’s murder, as well. She is Larry Teague Jr.’s wife — and Bishop’s mother. Her daughter, Brya Bishop, 24, faces allegations of evidence tampering, lying to police, and accessory charges, too.
Earlier this month, the mother-daughter pair were shopping at a Flint Family Dollar when Munerlyn approached Teague's daughter for not wearing a state-required face mask, authorities stated.
Teague allegedly became embroiled in a “verbal interaction” with the security guard, left the store, and returned about 30 minutes later, this time accompanied by her husband and son. Shortly after, Ramonyea Bishop allegedly walked up to Munerlyn and shot him at close range in the head, according to investigators.
Flint residents Laura Mitchell, 44, and Terrance Findley, 43 are accused of helping Larry Teague Jr. evade arrest, as well. They’re charged with harboring felons, obstruction of justice, and accessory after the fact, according to a separate criminal complaint.
“Just one week ago, these people were just going about their lives and now they’re all caught up in this tangled web,” Potbury added.
Bishop and Teague also face a number of firearm charges in connection to the shooting. Teague has racked up past gun and drug convictions, separate court documents show. He was also charged with violating the state’s executive order related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Larry Teague Jr., Sharmel Teague, and Ramonyea Bishop, face life in prison if convicted on murder charges in the case. The two men haven’t yet been arraigned, authorities said.
Sharmel Teague is scheduled to appear in court on May 14. Her public defender, Philip Beauvais, wasn’t immediately available for comment on Monday. It wasn't immediately clear if the other accused suspects had retained legal counsel.
Munerlyn was hired by Family Dollar in 2019, store executives said.
The "amazing" Michigan father, loved basketball, working out, cooking, and is remembered for his sense of humor and rigorous work ethic, according to his family.
“My dad was all of our protectors,” his daughter Cavetta Munerlyn, 18, told Oxygen.com. “He loved us very much and he made sure we were always okay. He was such a loving and goofy dad. It was never a day when he didn’t let us know that we were loved and cherished by him.”
Nearly $400,000 has poured into a GoFundMe for the family in the wake of Munerlyn's death.
City officials, who also honored Munerlyn's family last week, insisted the "generous" Flint father "died in the line of duty."
“Duper was a husband, father, protector and provider,” Mayor Sheldon Neeley told Oxygen.com in a statement.
“[He] died saving lives."
